Hancock- Harris PITTS SPECIAL N3186
16 July 1993 · Independent Hil, Virginia, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 16 July 1993 at about 19:34 local time, a Hancock- Harris PITTS SPECIAL registered N3186, operated by Steven Curelop, was involved in an accident near Independent Hil, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 19:34
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Independent Hil, Virginia, United States
- Coordinates
- 38.5590, -77.3007
- Aircraft
- Hancock- Harris PITTS SPECIAL
- Registration
- N3186
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Steven Curelop
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Ft. Washington → Indiana
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- BFO93LA125
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING HIS PREFLIGHT/PLANNING PREPARATION HE MISREAD THE FUEL GAGE. HE REPORTED THAT HE DEPARTED WITH ALMOST EMPTY TANKS AND RAN OUT OF FUEL MINUTES LATER. HE ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION NOR WEATHER PROBLEMS. THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A BACKYARD COLLIDING WITH A SHED.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Sep 1993 | Cessna 172P | Pembroke, Virginia, United States | Air Chesterfield Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
| 9 May 1993 | Piper PA-28-181 | Chesterfield, Virginia, United States | Aero Industries | Minor injuries | - |
| 11 Sep 1993 | Cessna 172N | Tangier Island, Virginia, United States | Reichard Aviation Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 15 May 1993 | Cessna 152 | Norfolk, Virginia, United States | Rick Aviation | No injuries | - |
| 16 May 1993 | Cessna 172E | Manassas, Virginia, United States | Continental Aviation Club Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 25 Sep 1993 | Cessna 172 | Emporia, Virginia, United States | Civil Air Patrol, Inc. | No injuries | - |